On December 2, 2025, a devastating multi-vehicle crash on Highway 87 in San Jose tragically claimed the lives of Ivana Balistreri, 29, and her one-year-old daughter, Lilliana. The collision, which involved multiple cars and erupted into flames, has left the San Jose community heartbroken and mourning the loss of a devoted young mother and her beloved child.
Ivana was a San Jose native and a recent graduate of San Jose State University, where she earned a degree in early childhood education. She worked as a preschool teacher at a local Montessori center, known for her gentle and nurturing spirit.
She was recently engaged and shared a warm, loving home in Willow Glen with her fiancé and daughter, filled with children’s books, crafts, and the joyful energy of a growing family.
Lilliana, affectionately known as Lilly Bean, was the light of her parents’ lives. She was approaching her first birthday on December 16 and had just begun taking her first steps and speaking her first words—milestones her mother cherished and celebrated with loved ones. Their home was filled with laughter, love, and the anticipation of a future filled with promise.
The collision occurred around 10:49 a.m. just north of Curtner Avenue when one vehicle veered across lanes, setting off a chain-reaction crash that trapped Ivana and Lilliana in their car as it caught fire. Despite the efforts of first responders, both were pronounced dead at the scene. Ivana’s fiancé, who was driving, survived with moderate injuries. Other drivers involved were treated for non-life-threatening wounds or escaped unharmed.
As the California Highway Patrol continues its investigation into the cause of the crash, the San Jose community grieves this unimaginable loss. Friends, neighbors, and colleagues remember Ivana’s kindness and Lilliana’s bright spirit—a duo whose love touched everyone around them.
In the wake of this tragedy, the family asks for privacy as they mourn. They plan to honor Lilliana’s upcoming first birthday in a way that celebrates the joy she brought into their lives. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the CHP at 408-961-0900.
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